The Archdiocese of Mbarara (AoM) started a University as part of its mission and mandate to establish educational institutions of different levels to share in the salvific ministry of Christ by being the salt and light to the world.
The founders coined the name: University of Saint Joseph Mbarara (USJM) for the university from St. Joseph, foster father to Jesus and the patron Saint of the pioneer St. Joseph Technical School, whose tradition of hard workmanship and community responsive education, USJM is to uphold.
The personal qualities and values of St. Joseph, the worker, such as integrity, hardworking, commitment, are behind this tradition, and the university will uphold them. USJM will not be ‘another university’ in Uganda. It shall offer unique relevant programmes and courses which are student centred . USJM shall aim at total orientation and focus on tertiary education that will meet community needs and engineer socio-economic transformation. It shall deliver relevant, affordable, high quality, inclusive and community-responsive university education.